“Seeking solace?” Imagine you are standing before St. Andrew’s United Church. This church has history, community and resilience woven into its very stones. But its story takes an interesting turn when we remember Dr. Sheela Basrur.
St. Andrew’s United Church stands as a beacon. It offers spiritual guidance. It is located at 117 Bloor Street East. The church has been a steadfast presence in Toronto. It is a place for community and reflection. Yet, it is the life of Dr. Sheela Basrur that brings an unexpected perspective to our visit today.
Sheela Basrur was born in Toronto in 1956. Her parents were immigrants from India. Her father was a radiation oncologist. Her mother was a veterinary genetics professor. Sheela grew up in Guelph. There were few visible minorities there at the time. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. She got it from the University of Western Ontario in 1979.
Basrur earned her Doctor of Medicine degree. She got it from the University of Toronto in 1982. She worked as a general practitioner in Guelph for a year. Basrur spent a year in India and Nepal. She became interested in public health there. She obtained a Master of Health Science degree in 1987. She specialized in community health and epidemiology. Basrur became a specialist in community medicine. She also became an assistant professor. She worked at the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Toronto.
Basrur became the Medical Officer of Health. She worked for the East York Health Unit. East York merged into Toronto in 1998. She became the first Medical Officer of Health for the new city. She was known for her work during the SARS outbreak in 2003. Basrur appeared in many television interviews on CNN.
She implemented Canada’s first city program. It required restaurants to post health inspection results. She developed post-9/11 bioterrorism preparation plans. Basrur also created a citywide ban on cigarette smoking in 2004.
In 2004, she became Chief Medical Officer of Health. She also became Assistant Deputy Minister of Public Health. She worked in the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Basrur resigned in 2006. She resigned to undergo treatment for cancer.
She received many honors. In 2007, she was awarded life membership. She got it from the Ontario Public Health Association. She also received an honorary doctor of laws degree. York University gave it to her. A nursing oncology fellowship was established in her name. The Registered Nurses Foundation of Ontario created it. The OPHA created an award for social justice in her honor.
The Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion headquarters was named the Sheela Basrur Centre. She was inducted into the Order of Ontario in April 2008.
Now, as we stand before St. Andrew’s United Church, think about resilience. Consider the commitment to community. Dr. Sheela Basrur embodied these values. She was a public servant. She was a leader in public health. Her work continues to inspire. It reminds us of the importance of community. It highlights the need for dedication to the well-being of others. Both the church and Dr. Basrur show a commitment to community.